Tale Of Sarna The Shield Warrior First United Army

Antarctica

Stanson and Owens left for Antarctica, in June arrived mid-July. Stella and Madeira survived, during the journey the Windward sank. A storm, the likes Stanson had never seen, loss of all hands.

Owens paced the deck, not sure on the welcoming they will receive. Mister Tod, get the Admiral, please. Helm hold your course, lighten our sail.
Tod nodded and took off. Holding course Sir. Owens held the railing, leaning over it. We'll be coming up on the harbor entrance, she is plenty deep. Stay to the starboard side, we'll anchor about a mile in. Mister, Owens, bit a chill in the air. Yes, Bill slight chill, I have us anchoring a mile into the harbor. Think it best to go in on a skiff, see what's up. Good idea, Owens signal the Madeira, Mister Tod let her know we'll be anchoring and make ready action stations. Just make ready mind ya.

On it Sir. Owens ya look, uneasy man, what be the problem? Bill, it doesn't feel right, just we should be seeing smaller boats out. We've seen none, noise from land, listen no noise at all. Two miles from land should at least be hearing normal noises of people living. Bill thought a moment, well Owens, just the jitters is all. Coming home, not knowing how they'll take you us, for that matter.
We'll see Owens. Sir Madeira, signaled understood. Fine Tod, pick six men, armed with pistols only. Ready my skiff.

Owens best get a pistol, never know, what we may run into. Bill, I think it best you carry the pistol, till I need it. We don't need them to panic, few military are still here. They know me. That I can do Owens,
Mister Tod! Slacken our sail! Get us near that point and we'll be off! Oh, and Tod, mind ya keep a good eye out now. Shore team, lower the skiff, Owens we are off!

Owens climbed into the skiff, Bill just off the point,
a small inlet. Best put in, at it, only about two miles to harbor control and Naval control. The Transports are docked close by. So we walk in Owens? Yes, I think it's best leave two with the skiff. It's your Land Owens, you know what's best.
Ya heard men pull now, we've not got all day!

As Bill got both feet on land, he stomped them, land! Men the feel of dry land, Owens feels good not have the motion under your feet, don't it. Yes, it does, the road just twenty yards or so, this way.
Bill looked around, why its green thought it be snow and ice covered? All the pictures I've seen.

Owens smiled, it's far worse than you think. Only a small part is this way. Our Ancestors worked out some kind of geothermal thing, only a few hundred square miles are like this more like early spring and fall, year round. That is breaking down,
it won't last much longer. You see Bill, my people are a dying breed if we stay. The cold will take over, return to normal. 

Owens, they could of asked for help, went someplace else. Owens stopped walking, Bill listen nothing the harbor isn't far. The gate only a few minutes away. Something is amiss. Bill rested his hand on the pistol grip, men best keep an eye and ear open. Things aren't smelling right in the breeze. Dear! No Sentry at the gate, Bill best hand me that pistol. Owens here, men best pull those irons out! We go slow, only shoot if ya have ta.

Owens walked into the guard house, nothing not even sign of anyone for months maybe longer. Looks empty like been months since anyone was even here. Dust on the desk papers on the floor.
This isn't good. How far ta your Offices for the Navy and such? Only a mile Bill. Well, lead the way.

Owens felt ill, almost wanting to toss his stomach.
Quiet no one not even a dog or a cat roamed the street into the harbor or waterfront district. This is where people walked got fresh air. Sat had food,
out of the misery they called home. The dank underground where they lived, had a constant smell of people living. Not an overbearing smell just one that stuck in the air. The cramped feeling of no privacy. They wanted to be up top in the air, open skies. His Father may have been Navy, Owens thought I would of chose it to be outside all day.